With an increasingly saturated market taking up consumers’ minds every day, it’s becoming more and more difficult to stand out from the competition. For every Starbucks, there are 10 other coffee shops that boast the same flavors, the same atmosphere, the same free in-store Wi-Fi, at the same — or close to the same — price point.
So, how can your business hope to stand out in this increasingly competitive, increasingly overfilled market? Check out some of these tips and you’ll be doing better than a majority of the businesses already out there.
Pay Attention To Your Competition
To find the best strategies for what’s working and what’s not working in business, you need not look further than your own competition. What are other businesses doing that’s working or not working? How can you learn from their shortcomings, or improve on what they’re doing right? If you’re not trying to stand out from your competition, then people are going to go to them for what they need, rather than your business.
Get To Know Your Customers
How are you supposed to cater to the needs of your customers if you never interact with them? Try talking to your customers, and seeing what they want from your business. This could be through online surveys, social media, or the good ol’ fashioned “let’s get coffee and talk” meetings.
Expand Your Network
How many times have you heard the word “networking” and rolled your eyes in a dismissive manner? As overused and cringe-inducing as that word has become, it’s still an important one. The more successful people you know, the more successful your business is likely to become. So, expand your contact book, and you’ll be getting new opportunities to expand your business in no time.
Have A Good Social Presence
Social media is everywhere these days. Literally, everywhere. By this point, you should already have a couple of social profiles set up to help you connect with your customers. The best way to use these accounts — besides promoting your business and answering customer’s questions — is by having FUN with your accounts. Customers don’t care too much about seeing info presented to them in a stiff, robotic manner; they want to be entertained, as well. Use fun pictures, share some funny gifs, and show your customers that you’re much more than just a business.
Be Yourself
Above all, just try to be yourself, man! People are generally distrustful of business owners when they see them as stark, tense, serious figures. They’ll see through your facade, and accuse you of being fake and unapproachable. Relax, and interact with your customers on a real level, like any normal human being having a conversation with another human being would act. They’re more likely to trust you and be repeat customers if they feel like they can approach you and your business.
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